AGM – Chairperson Report

GLENBOWER WOOD & LAKE LTD

Annual General Meeting

Agenda: Welcome and apologies
Chairspersons Address
Secretarys report
Treasures report
Election of committee
Election of Directors
AOB

Chairpersons report:
Welcome and I’d like to first thank all for attending.
The present committee was elected Feb 2021 and new members joined the group last year, Aidan Magner and Donal McCauliey, a warmest welcome to you both and more new members
are always welcome.

To give a brief history: Glenbower Wood & Lake Ltd was founded in the early 1990’s amid concerns for the future of Glenbower Wood following the draining of the lake in 1988. The group operates on a voluntary basic for the maintenance and upkeep of the wood for the use of the immediate community and those from further afield. This was no more obvious than throughout the covid-19 pandemic, when 5km restrictions were in force.

• Our aim is to continue the work of past committees and preserve the wood for future generations to come, with a long term goal of returning the lake to the Wood.
• A lot of the current directors are aged or have passed on and new directors will need to be decided at this AGM
• We have had a really successful year with the approval of grants allowing us to enhance the wood facilities and pathways.
• The GOFUNDME amount of €5,000 raised in 2020/2021 was used in part to apply and get approval for these grants.
• The Mill Race Path upgrade project funded through the Local Authorities Water Programme (Catherine Seale) was completed. The lower Mill Race path between the two carparks was re surfaced, with the work being done through voluntary time from committee members. Thanks to all involved and thanks to Majella and Kathleen for pursuing this application and a current application is in place to improve the path further along from the 2nd carpark upwards.

• The Metal Bridge turrets and side wall soldier course were repaired and rebuilt with the amazing craftsmanship of local builder Tony O’Callaghan using locally sourced stone, and a huge thanks to Tony as all this was voluntary time
• Thanks to Richard for pursuing this and getting it completed.
  • The handrail by the 2nd carpark steps was upgraded to a metal one, thus
    improving safety ascending/descending these steps.
  • The Communities Activities fund was apply for without success, but next year hopefully this will be approved and allow to fund running costs for the
    committee.
  • Our success in gaining grant funding from Cork County Council and Youghal Urban District council facilitated one of the largest projects in the wood in possibly over 30 years. The upgrade/ replacement of three bridges is a massive boost and the addition of a new bridge over the old dam head opens up the walking loop, which had been closed off since the breaching of the dam in 1988. This project was completed with extreme efficiency, the installation only taking 5 days. Thanks to Anthony Kennelly Engineer on the project, the bridge builders, Cork County Council and particularly Richard for taking this project on from the start and seeing it through to completion.
  • The addition of these bridges opens up the industrial archaeology located at the dam head, including the sluice gate head, salmon pass and old waterfall. This should form part of a new project to improve awareness of the history of the wood. New trailhead signs will also need to be added at the entrance to the
    wood with information about walking routes etc.
  • A special thanks to the present committee for their dedication and persistence over the years in pursuing grants and on our recent success.
  • John Murphy and SECAD continue to be of assistance in upkeep works, ie cutting grass.
  • Angela, through SECAD also has been doing an amazing job keeping verges tidy and some
    invasive species removal.
  • Members of the committee are currently removing invasive species within areas of the wood, and this will continue with follow up treatment. These invasive species include cherry laurel and rhododendron. Coilte are also operating a removal program.
  • Coilte are currently carrying out a felling programme within the wood with the replacement species being native deciduous trees. This will allow the wood to develop back to its original
    biodiverse stability over the next few decades.
  • Greywood continue to be of great support to the wood and in organising the May Sunday festival and keeping the ancient festival alive. Greywood are expanding and incorporating the wood into their programme of events. The May Sunday festival this year in 2022 was a great success
  • The work on the Greenway between Midleton and Youghal is expected to be completed in 2023 and will be of a great asset to the area of Killeagh village and Glenbower Wood, bringing cyclists to Glenbower, whereby we hope to expand the path network in the Wood to allow for cyclist to
    continue their experience in the area. Grant funding will be needed for this.

We have an amazing amenity on our doorstep, there are not many villages or communities with such freedom to roam and enjoy nature and we are lucky to have the beauty that is Glenbower Wood with such easy reach.
I’d finally like to thank everyone for their commitment and time, both past and present committee members and to welcome any new members and I look forward to working with everyone in the year ahead.

Paudrig Lee, Chairperson
Glenbower Wood & Lake Ltd 25 May 2022